John duncan



no.' 2|,99s. Patented nur. 2s, |899. J. nuNcAN.

-GAS REGULATOR.

(Application Bled Dec. 6, 1897.) (No Model.)

NTTED STATES PATENT EETCE.

JOHN DUNCAN, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

GAS-REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,996, dated March 28, 1899.

` Application filed December 6', 1897. Serial No. 660,859. (No model.)

To all whom it may con/cern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN DUNCAN, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Toronto, in the county of York and Province oi' Ontario, Dominion of Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gas-Regulators, of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and efficient automatic regulator to control the flow of gas for illuminating and fuel purposes. It is important that such a device should bev self-contained, simple in construction, capable of being prod uced at a low cost, require no adjustment after being applied to the gassupply pipe or Xture, and be ready. for use upon being attached thereto. It is also important thatthe device be of such construction that when in position itis held suspended by its flange and comparatively free from external atmospheric changes affecting the gas-supply pipe or fixture. My invention is more particularly designed for use in connection with lamps provided with mantles for illuminating purposes, such as the Velsbach and similar lamps, containing a Bunsen tube in which air is admitted to the gas-current and by which the mixture of gas and air is conducted to the burnerhead or point of combustion. It is necessary for the successful working of such lamps and the preservation of the mantles in the same that the supply of gas should be delivered to the Bunsen tube and burner-head at the lowest possible ignition-pressure after its exit through the valve-seat opening, that the supply be sufficient at all times, and that itbe controlled automatically by the regulator irrespective of the iiuctuations of pressure in the supply-pipe.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of my improved regulator in position in an atmospheric or Bunsen burner suitable for an incandescent gas-lamp. Figs. 2 and 3 are cross-sections in lines 2 2 and 3 3, Fig. l, respectively. Fig. 4c is a detached verticalsection of the regulator-shell. Fig. 5 is a simi` lar view of the guide-post. Fig. 6 is a similar view ofthe valve and iioat. Fig. 7 is a similar View of the valve-seat plate. Fig. 8 is a similar view of the dilusing-plate. Fig.

9 is a similar view of the overhanging flange of the diffusing-plate. Fig. l0 is a similar view of the gathering-plate. Fig. ll is a similar View of a modified construction of the diffusing-plate. Fig. l2 is a similar view of a modified construction of the guide-post and shell.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several iigures.

A represents the base or inclosin g case provided at its bottom with t-he usual internallythreaded collar a for connection with the gas pipe or fixture. This base is provided at its upper end with an internal screw-thread b and at the lower end of the screw-thread with an inwardly-projecting shoulder h'.

C represents the cup-shaped shell of the regulator secured within the base and provided at its upper end with an outwardly-pro jecting tange c, by which it rests upon the shoulder b of the base A.

yD represents the guide-post which is secured centrally to the shell C and projects upwardly from the bottom thereof. This guidepost is preferably made by drawing it out of sheet metal, which method of construction produces a hollow post which can be open at one or both ends. The shell O is provided with a central depression d, in which the lower end of the guide-post is secured by being driven into the same. The post is provided between its upper and lower ends with an annular depression CV, usually formed in such guide-posts. The guide-post may also be made by drawing it out of sheet metal with a rim d2 at its lower end having a slightly-upturned flange at its outer edge, as shown in Fig. 12. The guide-post may also be made of solid metal, if desired, by turning it in a lathe; but I prefer the former-described constructions, as being cheaper and quite as suitable.

e represents openings formed in the bottom of the shell C outside of the guide-post D for the passage of the gas upwardly through the shell.

F represents the valve,which consists of a sleeve surrounding the -guide-post and capable of movement up and down on the same toward and from its seat, so as to regulate the width of the passage between the upper end of the valve and its seat, thereby regulating IOO the flow of the gas through said passage to the burner.

G represents the float, which is secured to the valve and which consists of a disk projecting outwardly therefrom and arranged to move freely up and down in the shell C. This float is acted upon by the gas entering the shell through the openings ein the bottom thereof and striking against the underside of the float. The latter may be provided with openings g near the valve for allowing the gas to pass upward to the valve-controlled opening, or the float may be fitted so loosely in the shell that the gas can flow past its edge, or the shell may be provided with openings g' near its upperedge, through which the gas can flow from below and around the shell to the valvecontrolled escape-opening, or these features may all bc employed in the same structure, as may be most desirable.

II represents a valve-seat plate or diaphragm secured within the base and extending across the same above the shell and the guide-post. This plate is provided at its center with a gas-passage h, which is surrounded by a dowmvardly-facing valve-seat h', and it rests with its marginal portion or flange h2 upon the flange c of the shell. The central portion of this valve-plate is raised, so as to locate its valve-seat at a suit-able distance above the guide-post.

I represents a raised perforated cap or diffusing-plate which is raised above the valveseat-plate II and covers the central opening 7L thereof. This cap is mounted upon the raised central portion of the valve-seat plate and is provided in its peripheral wall with perforations 7u, through which the gas issues. The cap is provided above said perforations with an overhanging annular flange l, which deflects the gas outwardly and downwardly. This flange is preferably formed for convenience of construction on a separate disk or plate Z', slightly cup-shaped to fit upon the diffusing-plate. The chamber formed underneath the diffusing-plate causes a diffusion of the gas-current issuing from the central opening of the valve-seat plate. Instead of forming the escape-openings of the diffusing-plate in the upright or side wall thereof, as shown in Figs. l and S, they maybe formed in the horizontal top portionof this plate, as shown in Fig. 1l.

M represents a gathering-plate arranged above the diffusing-plate and provided with a central opening m.

Nrepresents the Bunsen or air-mixing tube for admitting air to the gas-current and conveyin g the gas and air to the point of ignition or combustion. The lower portion n of this tube flares downwardly and contains the airinlet openings n. The enlarged lower end of this tube is provided with an external screw-thread by which the tube is screwed into the internal thread in the upper end of the base A. The tube bears upon the flange of the shell and valve-seat plate, thereby securing these parts in the base. The tube N may be provided on the outer side of its lower portion with a perforated register-cone O for regulating the size of the air-inlet openings. The tube N may also be provided with a slightly downwardly flaring disk O', arranged at or near the intersection of the upper portion of the tube with the downwardly-Haring portion of the same. This disk prevents the flame from flashing downward when first lighted and entering the air-inlets of the tube and igniting the gas issuing from the opening of the gathering-plate.

In the operation of this regulator the gas enters the lower end of the base portion of the casing A and passes through the openings e in the governor-shell C and either through the float or around the edge of the float or around the shell and through the openings g. The float and valve are controlled by the gaspressure in the inlet-pipe in a well-known Inanner, closing under a high pressure and opening as the pressure falls, thus maintaining a current of uniform quantity or volume, which issues from the opening of the valveseat plate. Thecurrent of gas after issuing from the opening in the valve-seat plate, although of uniform volume, is delivered at Varying pressures and is attended with more or less hissing noise and irregularity of form and would pass through-the central opening in the gathering-plate in the same noisy and agitated state. The latter would be highly detrimental to the proper working of the lamp. For the purpose of remedying these objectionable conditions the diffusing cap or plate is used, forming a diffusing-chamber for the gas to expand and circulate in, and then to make its exit through small openings in the side or top of the said diffusing-plate and into the outer chamber formed by the threaded skirt of the Bun'sen tube and the gatherin g-plate. Then the gas issues through side openings in the diffusing-plate, the additional cap Z', fitting snugly on the diffusing-plate with the overhanging flange Z, may be used to deflect the issuing gas in an outwardly and downwardly direction. The friction of the issuing and expanding gas passing through the diffusing-chamber and its opening, its deflection caused by the overhangin g flange and. the upward course around the same all tend to bring' it to a state of comparative tranquillity before its exit through the openin g in the gathering-plate and the noise and agitation mentioned are almost, if not entirely, overcome. After issuing from the gathering-plate the gas should ascend to the burner-head in a smooth current, free from fluttering or lateral deviation, and thereby insuring sufficient room in the Bunsen tube for an ample supply of air entering the air-inlets to accompany the gas-current to the burner-head. It is important that the openings in the diffusing and gathering plates be of sufficient size to allow the gas a free exit after issuing from the valve-seat opening and not retard the gas or IOO IIO

react upon the regulator, and thereby impair its usefulness. This gathering-plate gathers the diffused or broken-up gas-currentissuing from the diffusing-chamber and delivers the same in a solid central-stream axially into the Bunsen tube, which mode of issue is deemed best for the form of Bunsen tube noW generally in use; but I do not Wish to confine myself to. one central opening in the gathering-plate, as it may sometimes be necessary, -in order to more thoroughly prevent all noise, to provide a central cluster of smaller openings in close juxtaposition, or in the event of enlargement of the Bunsen tube to provide several distinct openings.

The several parts of my'improved regulator, with the exception of the base, are quickly and cheaply made by stamping or drawing the parts out ofsheet metal and are easily and cheaply assembled and secured together, the Whole forming a regulator Which is selfcontained, so that it is ready to be applied to the gas pipe or fixture.

I claim as my invention#` l. The combination with a base provided with a gas-inlet and containing a regulatorshell, of a float-valve arranged Within said shell, a stationary plate arranged above said valve and provided with a gas-passageand with a valve-seat on its under side, a perforated diffusingplate arranged above said plate, and a gathering-plate arranged above said diffusing-plate,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a base provided with a gas-inlet, of a cup-shaped regulatorshell arranged within said base, a float-valve arranged Within the depressed body of said cup-shaped shell, and a stationary detachable plate having its body raised above its marginal portion and extending across the upper end of said valve, said plate being provided With a gas-passage and ou its under side with a valve-seat around said passage, toward and from which seat said valve moves, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a base provided with a gas-inlet and with an internal shoulder, of a detachable regulator-shell provided With a marginal flange resting upon said shoulder, a valve and float arranged Within said shell, a detachable valve-seat plate resting upon said shell, and an air-mixing tube secured to plate arranged u pon said valve-seat plate and provided with exit-openings in its side and with a ilange overhanging saidopeuings, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a base provided with a-gas-in-let, of an automatic gas-regulator arranged above said inlet and containing a detachable .valve-seat plate having a raised central portion, a diifusing-plate mounted upon the raised portion of said valveseat plate and having lateral gas-escape openings, and a plate which is provided with an overhanging flange and which is mounted upon said diffusing-plate,substantially as set forth.

"W'itness my hand this 3d day of December,

JOHN DUNCAN. Witnesses:

R. U. MoPHERsoN, J. M. CLARK. 

